A federal minister awkwardly took a selfie of himself on live television as an interview was starting.
Assistant Treasurer Stuart Robert was being introduced by Sky News presenter Kieran Gilbert when he took out his smart phone and took a photo of himself.
Seconds into the AM Agenda segment, the Gold Coast-based federal Liberal MP was seemingly oblivious to the fact he was on air.
‘Now to Liberal frontbencher and the Assistant Treasurer Stuart Robert,’ Mr Gilbert said during the Thursday morning blooper.
‘Thanks so much for your time.’
At this point, Mr Robert pulled out his smart phone and looked into the screen as he took a selfie.
His phone stayed in front of his face as Mr Gilbert asked the first question about embattled ABC chairman Justin Milne, who sparked a staff revolt on Wednesday following revelations he demanded the sacking of a journalist to appease the government.
Mr Robert, however, appeared to be unaware he was being interviewed and put on a comical grin instead of answering the question about the national broadcaster’s boss.
Assistant Treasurer Stuart Robert (right) was being introduced by Sky News presenter Kieran Gilbert (left) when he took out his smart phone and took a photo of himself
Mr Robert, however, appeared to be unaware he was being interviewed and put on a comical grin instead of answering the question about the national broadcaster’s boss
It appeared to be a Sky News technical fault, with Mr Gilbert restarting the interview a few moments later.
‘We had some communication issues, I’ll ask you again,’ he said.
‘I can’t see anyone suggesting that Justin Milne should remain as chairman, what’s your view?’
It appeared to be a Sky News technical fault, with Mr Gilbert restarting the interview a few moments later
Mr Robert said the government had acted correctly by ordering an inquiry into Mr Milne’s conduct.
‘I think the Prime Minister’s done the right thing with the Arts Minister yesterday into the evening in terms of getting the Communications secretary to have a look at this,’ he said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Communications Minister Mitch Fifield have asked the secretary of the Department of Communications and the Arts, Mike Mrdak, to investigate whether Mr Milne had pressured former managing director Michelle Guthrie to sacked chief economics correspondent Emma Alberici and political editor Andrew Probyn to win favour with the Coalition government.